Status of Berhala island to be decided in late October

Jambi (ANTARA News) - The status of Berhala Island`s ownership will be decided by the central government through the home ministry in late October, 2007.

Jambi Governor Drs H Zulkifli Nurdin said here that the home ministry will soon issue a decision on the ownership status of the Island in late October after discussing it with the House`s Commission II in meetings with Jambi and Riau Islands administration authorities.

"Either our side (Jambi) or Riau island province during the meeting with the officials of home ministry and the House`s Commission II will also handed over documents on the history of the island`s ownership to East Tanjung Jabung district in Jambi.

Berhala island which is only 12 miles from Muara Sabak, the capital of East Tanjung Jabung district and becomes a tomb of Datuk Paduko Berhala, who was the first Jambi King during the Malay kingdom.

This island had since 1990 dragged Jambi and Riau islands into a dispute which eventually caused the central government to intervene and declared a status quo for island.

Zulkifli was optimistic that Berhala Island would be restored to Jambi as it belonged to the people of Jambi.